by Jo Barnes –
The phrase “leave no stone unturned” aptly describes the effort and persistence of most farmers. But for one local farm it describes this and much more.
Kristine Letson, co-owner of Stonefields Farm, has not only left no stone unturned to create a bountiful farm, but her family literally had to turn out many stones from the fields when they began farming; hence the farm name.
“Yes, here there has been an unrelenting crop of stones,” laughs Kristine, “but there’s strength in the name. We work very hard to be able to maintain this life, but we are so fortunate to be here and have this opportunity.”
Farming typically is demanding physical work. As a former ballet dancer and instructor, enduring the aches and pains from pushing the body to its limits are second nature for Kristine.
“In dancing you use your body in a better way because you train. Often farmers don’t do anything for a couple of months like in the winter, and then after jumping into it, strain themselves. Would you do this as a dancer or athlete?” she asks rhetorically. Like many who tend the land, however, Kristine embraces that reality with an understanding that the reward is well worth it.
“I love ache at the end of day; I hate the ache in the morning!” she says, “But after the day’s work, it’s so satisfying.”
Along with partner Thomas Scheinpflug, Kristine now cares for the farm originally purchased by her father and lovingly tended by her mother.
“My mom was a person of the soil; she was a magical grower. I love to grow, but I’m not a natural grower. I’m more a fly by the seat of my pants kind of person,” she smiles.
Stonefields Farm in North Saanich is just under seven acres in area. Canopied under majestic tall fir and cedar trees, it boasts a homestead and large barn, guest cabins, greenhouses and animal barns. Produce harvested includes apples, peaches, pears, figs and a variety of vegetables.
“We grow a few garden variety vegetables like beans or asparagus, but our main thing here is tomatoes, peppers and onions. I grow really amazing onions and tomatoes; those are my two things that I do really well,” comments Kristine.
The lifestyle here is always approached with a view to environmental sustainability and a drive to live in harmony with nature. Kristine and Thomas are both vegans; this informs every piece of their lifestyle. “For us, being vegan is also being aware of the impact of the travel distance that a lot of food goes, the cost of that to the environment, work conditions of people picking it. The more we learn from being here, the more our consciousness impacts our decision making” she says.
Animals live on the property but are not for consumption. Items are recycled. Thomas, a boatwright and skilled woodworker, reflects this holistic approach by creating structures and furnishings with recycled wood. No chemicals, pesticides or herbicides are used, and composting is key.
“Thomas is the compost king; he makes amazing compost,” she shares.
It has been labour-intensive, and sometimes nature has dished out challenges beyond the stones in the fields. Echoing the farm’s name, it is strength of heart and ideals that prevail here. When Kristine’s mother passed away a number of years ago, Kristine found herself having to dig deep.
“I looked around at the farm and thought, yes, I’m going to bring it back, not trying to be my mom, but bringing it back and being me.”
The area of active farming was reduced, making it easier to tend it without the use of machines. Field-to-table vegan dinners have been hosted here, which have served to share both the bounty from the farm and the approach to eco-living. Kristine is excited about the season ahead.
“The seed order has arrived and garden plotting is all sorted. We’re trying to get the farm back to producing not just for ourselves, but for other people. We’ve worked so hard to get where we are.”
Like her mom, Kristine is an avid environmentalist, but she’s passionate about life itself, involved in animal advocacy and has a vision to reach others through education like coordinating more field-to-table dinner events and community workshops. “We are part of an eco-system here; we need to work with it, instead of against it. My dream is to plant those seeds of compassion and the soil is ripe for this,” shares Kristine.
Though the land under her feet can offer either soil or stone, this farmer is grateful for it all, for the creatures that reside here, for the produce that springs forth each season, and for the community with whom to share it all.
